Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Senior Vice President and Managing Director Asia Pacific Steve Odell has been appointed as the new chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia.

Mr Odell replaces Gavin Smith, who is relocating to the UK following his recent appointment to Senior Vice President International for Royal Caribbean.

Mr.Steve Odell

Following its Annual General Meeting in Sydney today, CLIA has also welcomed three new members to its executive committee: Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison, Royal Caribbean Managing Director Australia & New Zealand Adam Armstrong and Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Australia Jennifer Vandekreeke.

Welcoming the new committee, CLIA Australasia Managing Director Neil Linwood thanked the outgoing members, Gavin Smith and Carnival Australia Executive Chairman Ann Sherry, for their efforts and paid tribute to Mr Smith for the time and dedication he had given to CLIA over five years, since he was first appointed chairman in 2011.

“Gavin has been very generous with his support and guidance for CLIA during a time of rapid industry growth and we thank him for all his hard work on the industry’s behalf,” Mr Linwood said.

“We look forward to continuing to raise the cruise industry’s profile with Steve now at the helm of our committee.”

A former chairman of International Cruise Council Australasia (now CLIA Australasia) from 2005 to 2006, Mr Odell has more than 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry and has held senior management roles for a number of international contemporary and luxury cruise lines, including most recently Silversea Cruises. In October last year, he joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings which encompasses Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Mr Odell said he regarded his appointment as CLIA Australasia Chairman as an immense honour.

“I welcome the opportunity to work in collaboration with the Board, providing a voice for the industry at such an exciting time for the sector,” Mr Odell said.

“Globally, the cruise industry has never had a brighter outlook, and within this Australia’s cruise sector is particularly robust. With annual Australian cruise passenger numbers increasing more than sixfold over the past decade to now exceed one million, and with more ships than ever cruising our waters and homeporting in our region, now is the time to lay the foundations for sustained growth into the future.”